Key Events

"Highly complex incident"

Highways England tweeted:

All closures on the #M6 southbound between J4A #M42 and J3 have been removed following this morning’s traffic collision. Many thanks for your patience while this fairly complex incident was dealt with by our #TrafficOfficers, and @warkspolice , @WarksFireRescue and @OFFICIALWMAS

13:54KEY EVENT

All closures removed

13:34KEY EVENT

"We will have traffic moving on all routes shortly"

Highways England have tweeted:

We have started removing the closures on the #M6 southbound between J4A #M42 and J3 following a traffic collision and large diesel spillage. Due to the number of closures on link roads etc this will take a bit of time, but we will have traffic moving on all routes shortly.

13:28KEY EVENT

Diversion

The M6 in the West Midlands is closed southbound between J4a (M42) and J3 (A444) due to a traffic collision. Our Highways England Traffic Officers are on scene, along with Warwickshire Police. The incident has occurred between J3a and J3, however the closure has been extended back to J4a to facilitate the diversion route.

From J4a, traffic should initially follow the ‘Hollow Diamond’ diversion route, taking the M42 northbound to J9. Traffic should then turn at J9, and either take the A446 southbound to the junction with the A45 (Stonebridge), or the M42 southbound to J6 (A45). Traffic should then take the A45 eastbound to the junction with the A46 (Toll Bar End), and then the A46 northbound to rejoin the M6 southbound at J2.

13:07James Rodger

The latest

Highways England are releasing trapped traffic past the incident, but traffic prior to 4a is being diverted onto the M42.

Everything we know so far

Highways England latest

Closure remains in place between J4A and 3

Any traffic “trapped” within the closure is now being released via lane 4 past the scene of the collision. The M6 Closure remains in place between J4A - J3.

11:28James Rodger

Highways England issue update

Highways England have just issued an update: “We have worked to reopen a lane past the scene of the incident on the #M6 southbound between J3a and J3, however the closure remains from J4a #M42 while the incident is dealt with.”

11:21KEY EVENT

Diversion info

The following diversion is currently in place:

From J4a, traffic should initially follow the ‘Hollow Diamond’ diversion route, taking the M42 northbound to J9. Traffic should then turn at J9, and either take the A446 southbound to the junction with the A45 (Stonebridge), or the M42 southbound to J6 (A45). Traffic should then take the A45 eastbound to the junction with the A46 (Toll Bar End), and then the A46 northbound to rejoin the M6 southbound at J2.

11:16KEY EVENT

Info on injuries

M6 sign

We have no further information on whether anyone has been injured at this stage.

11:12KEY EVENT

Trapped traffic is being released

The accident took place shortly before 9am this morning - with some vehicles trapped still trapped at the scene.

The southbound carriageway was eerily quiet on Sunday morning

Trapped traffic is now being released past the scene however the closure remains in place.

11:08KEY EVENT

Advice - what to do in a motorway crash

11:05James Rodger

Football fans affected

Football fans off to watch Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham United were also caught in the snarl ups. On Twitter, Matthew Hall wrote; “On the way to Wembley with dad! First time we’ve been to see a match in 20 years. However M6 closed. All traffic on to M42. Very slow.”

11:02KEY EVENT

Warwickshire Police tweet

Warwickshire Police tweeted: “Ambulance, fire and police are currently at the scene of a five vehicle RTC on the southbound side of the M6, close to Corley services.

“The road is expected to be closed for some time while the vehicles are recovered.

“Please avoid the area.”

10:56KEY EVENT

What we know so far

If you’re just joining us...

The incident has affected motorists heading away for the bank holiday weekend.

A horror five-vehicle smash on the M6 has led to the closure of the entire southbound carriageway between J4a and J3 - on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Motorists faced a chaotic Sunday morning as the stretch of motorway was closed to traffic while the vehicles were removed from the scene.

It is thought at least two HGVs were involved in the collision, close to Corley Services in Coventry.

The incident, which is thought to have happened at around 8.30am, has caused major tailbacks - with the road expected to remain closed for ‘some time’.

10:51KEY EVENT

Highways Agency advice

A series of tweets from the Highways Agency read:

Please allow extra time if travelling this way, as delays are likely on approach to the closure and on the diversion route.

Any traffic caught within the M6 southbound closure between J4a and J3 will be cleared from the rear of the queue as soon as we have resource available to do so.

If we are able to also release traffic past the scene then we will do so, but at present teams are working across all lanes due to the position of HGVs and also a diesel spillage.”

10:47James Rodger

"Please avoid the area"

10:44James Rodger

"It's really bad"

10:42James Rodger

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10:35KEY EVENT

M6 crash

A five-vehicle crash has shut the M6 on Sunday, with motorists facing huge delays.

Traffic is currently being held on the southbound carriageway in Warwickshire.

The incident happened between Junction 3A Corley and Junction 3.

Warwickshire Police tweeted: “Ambulance, fire and police are currently at the scene of a five vehicle RTC on the southbound side of the M6, close to Corley services.

“The road is expected to be closed for some time while the vehicles are recovered.